Gaming method for playing an interactive slot game, and gaming apparatus for implementing the gaming method

ABSTRACT

A gaming method for playing an interactive slot game is implemented by a gaming apparatus. The gaming method includes the steps of: randomly generating a game symbol combination; determining whether the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol; when the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol, determining a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol; allowing player manipulation to generate a response signal indicating a player-selected position; receiving the response signal and determining whether the player-selected position is the corresponding position; randomly changing the changeable game symbol when the determination made in the last step is affirmative; determining whether a revised game symbol combination including the changed game symbol conforms with a predetermined winning condition; and granting an award when the determination made in the last step is affirmative.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of Taiwanese Application No. 098123391, filed on Jul. 10, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming method for playing a slot game, more particularly to a gaming method for playing an interactive slot game with enhanced interaction with a player.

2. Description of the Related Art

Currently, most casinos are provided with slot machines. Since rules and gaming procedure of a slot game are quite simple, many casino guests prefer to play with the slot machines.

A conventional slot machine generates a game symbol combination including a plurality of game symbols at the end of one round of a slot game. When the game symbol combination conforms with a predetermined winning condition, the conventional slot machine will grant an award to the player. Such predetermined winning condition is generally that all of the game symbols on a specified payout line of the game symbol combination are the same symbol.

Development of related technology arose in an electronic slot machine that includes a game processor operable to control the electronic slot machine for playing a slot game. However, both the conventional and electronic slot machines follow the rules of the conventional slot game. Once one round of the slot game starts, the slot game is completely implemented by the conventional slot machine or the electronic slot machine, and the player can only wait for the result of the game symbol combination without any interaction in the slot game. As a result, the player may lose interest in the slot game after several rounds. Therefore, player interest may be sustained in an interactive slot game that allows greater player participation in the slot game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming method for playing an interactive slot game.

Accordingly, a gaming method for playing a slot game of this invention is adapted to be implemented using a gaming apparatus that includes an input unit, an output unit, and a control system. The gaming method comprises the steps of:

a) configuring the control system to randomly generate a game symbol combination that includes a plurality of game symbols, and to enable the output unit to display the game symbol combination thereon;

b) configuring the control system to determine whether the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein;

c) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, configuring the control system to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination and to record the corresponding position determined thereby;

d) allowing a player to manipulate the input unit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol combination;

e) configuring the control system to receive the response signal generated by the input unit and to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined in step c);

f) configuring the control system to randomly change the changeable game symbol when the determination made in step e) is affirmative;

g) configuring the control system to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol changed in step f) conforms with a predetermined winning condition; and

h) granting an award to the player when the determination made in step g) is affirmative.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer program product comprising a machine readable storage medium having program instructions stored therein which when executed cause a system to perform consecutive steps of a gaming method for playing an interactive slot game of this invention.

According to another aspect of the pre sent invention, a gaming apparatus comprises an input unit, an output unit, and a control system coupled to the input unit and the output unit. The control system is operable to execute the above-mentioned gaming method for playing the slot game according to the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the gaming apparatus of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a gaming method for playing a primary slot game implemented by the gaming apparatus of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the gaming method for playing a bonus slot game implemented by the gaming apparatus of the first preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 5 to 9 are game images related to the bonus slot game;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a second preferred embodiment of the gaming method for playing the bonus slot game of this invention; and

FIGS. 11 to 13 are game images related to the bonus slot game of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a gaming apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a machine body 10, a control system 2 disposed in the machine body 10, an input unit 3, and an output unit 4. The control system 2 includes a game processor 21, and a storage medium 22 and a memory device 23 that are coupled to the game processor 21. The input unit 3 includes a start button 31, a left select button 32, and a right select button 33 that are disposed on a surface of the machine body 10 and coupled to the game processor 21. The output unit 4 includes a display screen 40 mounted on a top portion of a front side of the machine body 10, and a display controller 41 coupled between the control system 2 and the display screen 40.

In other embodiments, the machine body 10 can be configured to satisfy different requirements, or can be designed for other gaming apparatuses. For example, the machine body 10 can be provided with a coin slot, other function buttons, a payout mechanism, a coin tray, etc., and details thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

In this embodiment, the storage medium 22 of the control system 2 is a read-only memory (ROM) storing program instructions for playing an interactive slot game that includes a primary slot game and a bonus slot game. The memory device 23 of the control system 2 is a random-access memory (RAM) adapted for storing data and information generated during the primary slot game and the bonus slot game. When the program instructions are executed, the game processor 21 is operable to perform consecutive steps of a gaming method for playing the primary slot game and the bonus slot game. The following description is provided to describe the gaming method in detail.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a player makes an appropriate act, such as dropping enough tokens, the game processor 21 is triggered to execute the program instructions stored in the storage medium 22, and one round of the primary slot game starts.

In step (S₁₁), the game processor 21 is operable to allow the player to input a first start command through the start button 31. In response to the first start command from the start button 31, the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display an animation image of rotating reels.

Then, in step (S₁₂), the game processor 21 randomly generates a primary game symbol combination including a plurality of game symbols, and controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display the primary game symbol combination thereon. In this embodiment, the primary game symbol combination is in a form of, but not limited to, a 3×5 matrix having a plurality of game symbol positions, each of which corresponds to one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination.

In this embodiment, each round of the primary slot game provides the player with a first predetermined number of chances to input the first start command for rotating the reels to generate the primary game symbol combination, and the first predetermined number is stored in the memory device 23. Moreover, the game processor 21 is operable to subtract one from the first predetermined number stored in the memory device 23 in response to the first start command from the start button 31.

In step (S₁₃), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a primary winning condition. In this embodiment, the primary winning condition is that the game symbols in an upper payout line, a middle payout line or a lower payout line in the primary game symbol combination are the same symbol.

When the primary game symbol combination conforms with the primary winning condition, the game processor 21 is operable to grant the player an award instep (S₁₄) and the current round of the primary slot game is completed. On the other hand, when the primary game symbol combination fails to conform with the primary winning condition, in step (S₁₅), the game processor 21 is operable to further determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a bonus condition for proceeding with the bonus slot game. In this embodiment, the bonus condition is that the primary game symbol combination includes a predefined number of specific same game symbols, or that the game symbols in each of the first column and the fifth column in the matrix of the primary game symbol combination are the same symbol.

The game processor 21 is operable to execute the relevant program instructions stored in the storage medium 22 for playing the bonus slot game when the determination made in step (S₁₅) is affirmative, and the flow goes to step (S₁₆) when otherwise. Instep (S₁₆), the game processor 21 is operable to check whether the first predetermined number stored in the memory device 23 is equal to 0. When the first predetermined number is equal to 0, the current round of the primary slot game is completed, and the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display an end image. Otherwise, the display screen 40 displays an image to notify the player to input the first start command for rotating the reels again, and the flow goes back to step (S₁₁).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the game processor 21 executes the relevant program instructions for playing the bonus slot game when the primary game symbol combination conforms with the bonus condition. In this embodiment, the bonus slot game provides the player with a second predetermined number of chances to input a second start command for rotating the reels to generate another game symbol combination, and the second predetermined number is stored in the memory device 23.

In step (S₂₁), the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a bonus game image as shown in FIG. 5. In the bonus slot game, the first and fifth columns in the matrix of the primary game symbol combination are excluded, and two monkeys holding rocks replace the first and fifth columns in the matrix. It should be noted that the appearance of the bonus game image is for illustrative purpose only, and should not be limited to the disclosure of this embodiment.

In step (S₂₂), the game processor 21 is operable to check whether the second predetermined number stored in the memory device 23 is equal to 0. When the second predetermined number is equal to 0, the flow goes back to step (S₁₆). Otherwise, the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display an image to notify the player to input the second start command for rotating the reels, and the flow goes to step (S₂₃).

In step (S₂₃), the game processor 21 is operable to allow the player to input the second start command through the start button 31. In response to the second start command from the start button 31, the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display the animation image of rotating reels. In the bonus slot game, only three reels in the middle are rotated. Moreover, the game processor 21 is operable to subtract one from the second predetermined number stored in the memory device 23 in response to the second start command from the start button 31.

Subsequently, in step (S₂₄), the game processor 21 randomly generates the game symbol combination including a plurality of game symbols as shown in FIG. 6, and controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display the game symbol combination thereon. In the bonus slot game, the game symbol combination is in a form of a 3×3 matrix excluding the first and fifth columns in the matrix of the primary game symbol combination.

In step (S₂₅), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step (S₂₄) includes a changeable game symbol therein. In this embodiment, the game processor 21 is configured to check each of the upper, middle and lower payout lines for determining whether there is a changeable game symbol in any one of the payout lines of the game symbol combination. The changeable game symbol is one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination generated in step (S₂₄) that differs from remaining same ones of the game symbols in the upper, middle or lower payout line of the game symbol combination. For instance, the game symbol combination shown in FIG. 6 includes a changeable game symbol “B” in the middle payout line. It should be noted that the definition of the changeable game symbol is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the changeable game symbol can be one of the game symbols that differs from remaining same ones in a vertical line or a diagonal line of the game symbol combination in other embodiments.

When the game symbol combination does not include a changeable game symbol therein, the flow goes back to step (S₂₂). On the other hand, when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, the flows goes to steps (S₂₆) and (S₂₇). In step (S₂₆), the game processor 21 is operable to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination, and to record the game symbol combination and the corresponding position in the memory device 23. For example, the changeable game symbol “B” in the game symbol combination shown in FIG. 6 is at the corresponding position (2,1), i.e., a left game symbol position in the middle payout line. Further, in step (S₂₆), the game processor 21 is also operable to start a timer once presence of the changeable game symbol is determined.

In step (S₂₇), the game processor 21 allows the player to manipulate the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol combination. When the game symbol combination shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display screen 40, the player has to identify the changeable game symbol “B” and to press the left select button 32 of the input unit 3 to generate the response signal for selecting the left game symbol position as the player-selected position within the predetermined time limit. Furthermore, the player has to press the right select button 33 when the player determines that the changeable game symbol is at a right game symbol position in one of the payout lines, and has to press both of the left select button 32 and the right select button 33 upon determining that the changeable game symbol is at a middle game symbol position in one of the payout lines. In other embodiments, the input unit 3 can further include a middle select button operable to generate the response signal for indicating the middle position, or a joystick can be used for replacing the left and right select buttons 32, 33. Alternatively, the input unit 3 can include a touch screen adapted to be pressed by the player to generate the response signal for indicating one of the game symbol positions as the player-selected position.

When the game processor 21 fails to receive the response signal from the input unit 3 within the predetermined time limit, the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a relevant image to notify the player of loss of the current chance in the bonus slot game in step (S₂₈). Then, the flow goes back to step (S₂₂). In the case of failure to receive the response signal, the relevant image is shown to notify the player that the time limit has expired.

In response to the response signal, in step (S₂₉), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined and stored in step (S₂₆). The flow goes to step (S₃₀) when the determination made in step (S₂₉) is affirmative, and goes to step (S₂₈) when otherwise. In such case that the player-selected position is not the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol, the relevant image shown in step (S₂₈) is used for notifying the player of wrong identification of the changeable game symbol.

In step (S₃₀), the game processor 21 is operable to randomly change the changeable game symbol, and controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a game image of changing the changeable game symbol as shown in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, probability of changing the changeable game symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol combination is generated in step (S₂₄). Referring to the game symbol combination shown in FIG. 6, the game symbols in the middle payout line will be the same symbol when the changeable game symbol “B” in the game symbol combination is changed to be the game symbol “A”. Thus, the probability of changing the changeable game symbol “B” to be the game symbol “A” is enhanced. For example, the probability of getting the game symbol “A” in step (S₂₄) is 1/3, and the probability of changing the changeable game symbol “B” to be the game symbol “A” is enhanced to 2/3.

Subsequently, in step (S₃₁), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol changed in step (S₃₀) conforms with a predetermined winning condition. In this embodiment, the predetermined winning condition in the bonus slot game is similar to the primary winning condition in the primary slot game. When the revised game symbol combination conforms with the predetermined winning condition, the game processor 21 is operable to grant the player an award in step (S₃₂), and the display screen 40 is controlled to display the game images of winning the slot game as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Then, the current round of the primary slot game is completed. When the revised game symbol combination fails to conform with the predetermined winning condition, the flow goes back to step (S₂₂).

It should be noted that, when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes more than one changeable game symbol therein in step (S₂₅), the game processor 21 is operable to compare the player-selected position indicated by the response signal with each of the corresponding positions of all the changeable game symbols. When the player-selected position is any one of the corresponding positions of all the changeable game symbols, the flow goes to step (S₃₀).

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 10, the second preferred embodiment of the gaming method for playing the interactive slot game of this invention is described in the following.

The gaming method of this embodiment is similar to the gaming method of the first preferred embodiment. First, the game processor 21 is operable to execute the program instructions stored in the storage medium 22 for playing the primary slot game. The game processor 21 is operable to execute the bonus slot game when it is determined that the primary game symbol combination generated in step (S₁₂) conforms with the bonus condition in step (S₁₅).

In this embodiment, the bonus slot game provides the player with only one chance to input the second start command for rotating the reels to generate the game symbol combination. Steps (S₄₁), (S₄₂) and (S₄₃) are similar to steps (S₂₁), (S₂₃) and (S₂₄) of the gaming method of the first preferred embodiment, respectively, and details thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

In step (S₄₄), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the game symbol combination generated instep (S₄₃) includes a changeable game symbol therein. When the game symbol combination does not include a changeable game symbol therein, the flow goes to step (S₅₁). On the other hand, when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, the flows goes to steps (S₄₅).

In step (S₄₅), the game processor 21 is operable to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination, and to record the game symbol combination and the corresponding position in the memory device 23.

In step (S₄₆), the game processor 21 allows the player to manipulate the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol combination. When the game processor 21 fails to receive the response signal from the input unit 3 within the predetermined time limit, the current round of the bonus slot game is completed, and the flow goes back to step (S₁₆).

In response to the response signal, in step (S₄₇), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined and stored in step (S₄₅). The flow goes to step (S₄₈) when the determination made in step (S₄₇) is affirmative, and goes back to step (S₁₆) when otherwise.

In step (S₄₈), the game processor 21 is operable to randomly change the changeable game symbol, and controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display a game image of changing the changeable game symbol. Probability of changing the changeable game symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol combination is generated in step (S₄₃).

Subsequently, in step (S₄₉), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol changed in step (S₄₈) conforms with a predetermined winning condition. When the revised game symbol combination conforms with the predetermined winning condition, the game processor 21 is operable to grant the player an award in step (S₅₀), and the current round of the slot game is completed. On the other hand, when the revised game symbol combination fails to conform with the predetermined winning condition, the flow goes back to step (S₁₆).

Since the relevant contents in steps (S₄₆) to (S₄₉) are similar those in steps (S₂₇) to (S₃₁) of the gaming method of the first preferred embodiment and have already been described, details thereof will be omitted herein for the sake of brevity.

In step (S₅₁), the game processor 21 is operable to determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step (S₄₃) includes a special game symbol therein. When it is determined that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol therein, the game processor 21 is operable to give the player an option to manipulate the input unit 3 for generating a select signal in step (S₅₂). Otherwise, the flow goes back to step (S₁₆).

In this embodiment, the special game symbol is a game symbol which is not expected to appear in the game symbol combination, such as the game symbol “

” in the game symbol combination shown in FIG. 11. The player has to identify presence of the special game symbol, and should not press the left and right select buttons 32, 33 of the input unit 3 when the special game symbol appears in the game symbol combination. When the game processor 21 receives the select signal from the input unit 3 in step (S₅₂), the game processor 21 controls the display controller 41 to enable the display screen 40 to display corresponding game images as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 in step (S₅₃). Then, the current round of the bonus slot game is completed without granting the award to the player, and the flow goes back to step (S₁₆). On the other hand, when the game processor 21 fails to receive the select signal from the input unit 3 within a predetermined time limit, the game processor 21 is operable to grant an auxiliary award to the player in step (S₅₄) and complete the current round of the slot game.

In conclusion, the interactive slot game according to the present invention includes the primary slot game and the bonus slot game. In particular, the bonus slot game provides greater interaction with the player. Therefore, interest of the player in the interactive slot game is further enhanced.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A gaming method for playing a slot game, said gaming method being adapted to be implemented using a gaming apparatus that includes an input unit, an output unit, and a control system, said gaming method comprising the steps of: a) configuring the control system to randomly generate a game symbol combination that includes a plurality of game symbols, and to enable the output unit to display the game symbol combination thereon; b) configuring the control system to determine whether the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein; c) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, configuring the control system to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination and to record the corresponding position determined thereby; d) allowing a player to manipulate the input unit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol combination; e) configuring the control system to receive the response signal generated by the input unit and to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined in step c); f) configuring the control system to randomly change the changeable game symbol when the determination made in step e) is affirmative; g) configuring the control system to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol changed in step f) conforms with a predetermined winning condition; and h) granting an award to the player when the determination made in step g) is affirmative.
 2. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the changeable game symbol determined in step b) is one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination generated in step a) that differs from remaining same ones of the game symbols in a payout line of the game symbol combination.
 3. The gaming method as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in step f), probability of changing the changeable game symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol combination is generated in step a).
 4. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step d), at least one of a button and a joystick of the input unit of the gaming apparatus is manipulated by the player to generate the response signal.
 5. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the game symbol combination generated in step a) is in a form of a matrix having a plurality of game symbol positions, each of which corresponds to one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination, and in step d), a touch screen of the input unit is pressed by the player to generate the response signal for selecting one of the game symbol positions in the matrix as the player-selected position.
 6. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step e) includes configuring the control system such that flow of said gaming method goes back to step a) when the control system fails to receive the response signal from the input unit within a predetermined time limit.
 7. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising configuring the control system such that flow of said gaming method goes back to step a) when the determination made by the control system in step e) is negative.
 8. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step d), the player is allowed to manipulate the input unit within a predetermined time limit to generate the response signal.
 9. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, between steps a) and c), the steps of: i) configuring the control system to determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step a) includes a special game symbol therein; j) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol therein, configuring the control system to give the player an option to manipulate the input unit for generating a select signal; and k) when the control system receives the select signal from the input unit in step j), configuring the control system to complete one round of the slot game without granting the award to the player.
 10. The gaming method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising, after step j): l) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol therein, and the control system fails to receive the select signal from the input unit within a predetermined time limit, configuring the control system to grant an auxiliary award to the player and complete one round of the slot game.
 11. The gaming method as claimed in claim 1, the slot game including a primary slot game and an optional bonus slot game, the gaming method further comprising, prior to step a), steps for playing the primary slot game that include: I) configuring the control system to randomly generate a primary game symbol combination, to enable the output unit to display the primary game symbol combination thereon, and to determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a primary winning condition; II) when the primary game symbol combination fails to conform with the primary winning condition, configuring the control system to determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a bonus condition; and III) configuring the control system such that flow of said gaming method goes to step a) for playing the bonus slot game when the determination made by the control system in step II) is affirmative.
 12. The gaming method as claimed in claim 11, wherein: the primary game symbol combination generated in step I) is in a form of an m×n matrix, where n is greater than three; and the game symbol combination generated in step a) is in a form of an m×(n−2) matrix excluding a first column and an nth column in the matrix of the primary game symbol combination.
 13. A computer program product comprising a machine readable storage medium having program instructions stored therein which when executed cause a system to perform consecutive steps of a gaming method for playing a slot game according to claim
 1. 14. A gaming apparatus comprising: an input unit; an output unit; and a control system coupled to said input unit and said output unit; wherein said control system is operable to execute a gaming method for playing a slot game, the gaming method including the steps of: a) configuring said control system to randomly generate a game symbol combination that includes a plurality of game symbols, and to enable said output unit to display the game symbol combination thereon; b) configuring said control system to determine whether the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein; c) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes a changeable game symbol therein, configuring said control system to determine a corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination and to record the corresponding position determined thereby; d) allowing a player to manipulate said input unit to generate a response signal that indicates a player-selected position in the game symbol combination; e) configuring said control system to receive the response signal generated by said input unit and to determine whether the player-selected position indicated by the response signal is the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol determined in step c); f) configuring said control system to randomly change the changeable game symbol when the determination made in step e) is affirmative; g) configuring said control system to determine whether a revised game symbol combination that includes the game symbol changed in step f) conforms with a predetermined winning condition; and h) granting an award to the player when the determination made in step g) is affirmative.
 15. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said control system includes a game processor, and a storage medium that is coupled to said game processor and that stores program instructions for configuring said game processor to execute the gaming method for playing the slot game.
 16. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said control system further includes a memory device coupled to said game processor for storing the corresponding position of the changeable game symbol in the game symbol combination.
 17. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said input unit includes a start button operable to trigger said control system to execute the gaming method.
 18. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said input unit includes at least one of a button and a joystick operable to generate the response signal.
 19. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game symbol combination generated in step a) of the gaming method is in a form of a matrix having a plurality of game symbol positions, each of which corresponds to one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination, and said input unit includes a touch screen adapted to be pressed so as to generate the response signal for selecting one of the game symbol positions in the matrix as the player-selected position.
 20. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein, in step b) of the gaming method, the changeable game symbol is one of the game symbols in the game symbol combination generated in step a) that differs from remaining same ones of the game symbols in a payout line of the game symbol combination.
 21. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein, in step f) of the gaming method, probability of changing the changeable game symbol to be the same as the remaining same ones of the game symbols in the payout line is enhanced compared to probability of getting said one of the game symbols when the game symbol combination is generated in step a).
 22. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein step e) of the gaming method includes configuring said control system such that flow of the gaming method goes back to step a) when said control system fails to receive the response signal from said input unit within a predetermined time limit.
 23. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gaming method further includes configuring said control system such that flow of the gaming method goes back to step a) when the determination made by said control system in step e) is negative.
 24. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the player is allowed to manipulate said input unit within a predetermined time limit to generate the response signal in step d) of the gaming method.
 25. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the gaming method further includes, between steps a) and c), the steps of: i) configuring said control system to determine whether the game symbol combination generated in step a) includes a special game symbol therein; j) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol therein, configuring said control system to give the player an option to manipulate said input unit for generating a select signal; and k) when said control system receives the select signal from said input unit in step j), configuring said control system to complete one round of the slot game without granting the award to the player.
 26. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gaming method further includes, after step j): l) when it is determined that the game symbol combination includes the special game symbol therein, and said control system fails to receive the select signal from said input unit within a predetermined time limit, configuring said control system to grant an auxiliary award to the player and complete one round of the slot game.
 27. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 14, the slot game including a primary slot game and an optional bonus slot game, wherein the gaming method further includes, prior to step a), steps for playing the primary slot game that include: I) configuring said control system to randomly generate a primary game symbol combination, to enable said output unit to display the primary game symbol combination thereon, and to determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a primary winning condition; II) when the primary game symbol combination fails to conform with the primary winning condition, configuring said control system to determine whether the primary game symbol combination conforms with a bonus condition; and III) configuring said control system such that flow of the gaming method goes to step a) for playing the bonus slot game when the determination made by said control system in step II) is affirmative.
 28. The gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein: the primary game symbol combination generated in step I) is in a form of an m×n matrix, where n is greater than three; and the game symbol combination generated in step a) is in a form of an m×(n−2) matrix excluding a first column and an nth column in the matrix of the primary game symbol combination. 